Behind This Curtain

Nearly every Elder’s quorum that I’ve been a part of has met for class on the stage adjacent to the cultural hall. If there hasn’t been a stage in the church they’ve met in the cultural hall itself with the basketball hoop hovering over the head of the instructor. There is no clock, the walls are bare, and the backdrop is a stage curtain. This is quite the contrast from the microphone equipped, doily adorned, cross stitched décor of the relief society room. Has there ever been a revolutionist elder who has challenged this bland stage environment? Introducing art to the walls perhaps? Or at least equipping the space with a clock. Would Elder’s Quorum be different should such a change occur? Most likely not, at least not noticeably. Elder’s quorum changed for me once I realized that only a fraction of elder’s quorum curriculum is taught within the walls of the church. The other half is taught elsewhere in the service of others. The backdrop here may include a grape vineyard, palettes of sod, and moving boxes. What is practiced here is the application of what is discussed on stage: that holding the priesthood is all about exercising the Lord’s will here on earth. It is about building up His kingdom through serving others and standing as a witness of His truths at all times. The application is the more important part for me. Many times when I find myself struggling through the classroom routine of lackluster participation, lame excuses for being unprepared to teach, and cliché husband jokes, I like to think that we’re all just excited about getting out and doing some service rather than sit through a class. Despite the stereotypical characteristics of Sunday quorum activities, I do submit to the idea that there is something there for the spiritually prepared each week. It’ll just come after the time has been turned over to the instructor, a count of who needs a manual has been taken, and right before the instructor asks, “How much time do I have left?”